Timing valve



E. DAVIS TIMING VALVE March 31, 1936.

Filed Jan. 3

INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y5 I Patented Mar. 31, 1936 TIIVHNG VALVE Application January 3, 1928, Serial No. 244,360

18 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic timing valves for timing the operation of a machine to which it is attached and particularly, a timing valve for controlling the opening of a press, such as a garment or laundry press, after it has remained closed for a predetermined time. The timing mechanism is particularly simple and economical in construction and highly eflicient in use. The invention relates also to the combination of the timing mechanism with a fluid motor means having means for controlling the feeding of fluid to the motor means.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions herein after set forth.

An object of the invention is to produce a new and novel timing mechanism which is applicable to any fluid motor means and automatically exhausts the motor after a predetermined interval.

Another object is to produce a new and novel combination of timing means and control means for a pressing machine.

In describing this invention," reference is had to the accompanying drawing in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is an elevation of this timing mechanism showing the same applied to the fluid motor as a cylinder for actuating the press head of a pressing machine, the cylinder being shown in longitudinal section and manually operated valve mechanism for controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from the cylinder being also shown in section.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of'the timing valve and its associated mechanism in the position it assumes when the motor means is exhausted.

Figure 3 is a side elevation on a reduced scale of a pressing machine embodying my invention.

This timing valve comprises generally, a valve casing having a normally closed exhaust valve which is held closed by means which will be described. Pressure operated means is operable to oppose the means which holds the exhaust valve closed or operates it out of its holding position, after which the exhaust valve is held closed by pressure trapped in the casing until the pressure is reduced sufficiently by the pressure fluid pass-' ing out through a'slow leak passage to permit the exhaust valve to pop open by means such as a spring tending to open it. It will be understood that the timing mechanism is applicable to any fluid motor means. More specifically, it comprises a valve casing having chambers connected respectively to sections of a conduit for a motive fluid or to the motor means, a normally closed exhaust valve in one of said chambers having means tending to open it and an outlet passage through which the fluid leaks slowly, pressure operated 5 means arranged to be displaced by the internal pressure in the casing, said pressure operated means being located in the other chamber and movable by the pressure therein to permit the exhaust valve to open by its spring when suflicient 10 air has leaked out through said passage to reduce the pressure in the first chamber and means as a dash pot for slowly resisting the operation of the pressure operated means.

I have here illustrated my invention as applied to a garment or laundry pressing machine having cooperating pressing jaws which open and close on the work, which jaws preferably include a head I movable toward and from a. buck 2 suitably mounted on a frame or table 3. The head is here illustrated as carried at a front end of a lever 4 which is pivoted at 5 between its ends to the frame. The lever may be actuated in any suitable manner to open and close the press. As here illustrated, it is actuated by a fluid operated motor comprising a cylinder 6 having a single acting piston 1 movable therein. The piston has its rod 8 pivoted at 9 to a forwardly extending lever arm H) which is pivoted at H to the frame. The lever arm to has an upwardly and angularly extendingarm l2 which is pivoted at l3 to one end of a link I4, the other end of which is pivoted at Hi to the rear arm of the head-carrying lever 4. The parts l2 and I4 constitute a toggle. The cylinder 6 is pivoted at its upper end to the frame to have an oscillating movement.

The press is opened by a suitable counterweight l6 and springs l1, l8 when the fluid pressure in the cylinder 6 is released. I

The motive fluid is preferably air and the flow thereof to and from the cylinder is controlled by manually operated control or valve means. This valve means comprises a valve casing I9 having a normally closed intake valve 20 and a normally open exhaust valve 2| therein, the end of the casing provided with the valve 20 being connected to a suitable source of air supply through a pipe 22. The valves 20 and 2| are connected together by a stem 22 so that when one valve is opened, the other is closed. A spring 4| tends to close the intake valve 20 and open the exhaust valve 2|. A combined intake and exhaust pipe 23 leads from the casing I9 from between the valves to a coupling 24 which communicates with an intake port 240 in the upper head of the cylinder. The valves 20 and 2| areoperated by a suitable manual means here shown as a push button 25 coacting with the lever 26 which is ,pivoted at 21 and has an arm 28 thrusting against a lever arm 29 which in turn thrusts against the stem 30 of the exhaust valve 2|. The lever 29 also forms part of the pressure operated means fonholding the valves in their operated position to be presently described.

Obviously; upon depressing of the button 25, theexhaust valve 2| will be closed and the intake valve 20 will be opened permitting air to enter from the pipe 20 through the valvecasing'29, pipe 23, coupling 24 and intake port 2% to the cylinder 6 to actuate the piston l on its-power stroke. The valves 20 and 2| are held in their operated positions by pressure operated means connected to the cylinder to be operated by the back pressure in the cylinder or by pressure from the supply pipe passing through the cylinder. As here illustrated, this pressure operated means is a diaphragm 32 1ocated in a chamber 33 and actingupon a sliding stem 34 which thrusts against the lever 29. The pressure side of the diaphragm chamber 33 is connected to a pipe 35, and through pipe sections 36, 31 and valve casing 38 between said sections to a casing 39 mounted on the cylinder 6. This cylinder has a port All opening into the cylinder 8, this port being so located as to be uncovered by the piston as the piston approaches the end of its power stroke. Obviously, when the piston I does uncover the port 30, the pressure of the air therein will pass back through the pipe section 31, valve casing 38, pipe section 35, and pipe 35, to the diaphragm chamber 33 and actuate the diaphragm to'hold the valves 2|! and 2| in their operated position in which the intake valve 20 is open and the exhaust valve '2| closed, these valves being held in this position against the action of a returning spring 4|. The port 40, piston I and the diaphragms 32.and form means for holding the valve means in operated position after a predetermined closing movement of the press.

For the purpose of exhausting the air from the motor means at will, which is accomplished preferably by exhausting the air from the diaphra'gm chamber 33, at will, means is provided independently of the timing valve for exhausting the air from the diaphragm chamber 33. This exhaust means includes a normally closed spring pressed exhaust valve 42 located in an exhaust valve casing 43 which is connected by a pipe 56 to the pipe 35. The exhaust valve 42 is opened against its spring by manual means as a lever l5 grouped with the push button 25. (Of course, when the air pressure is reduced or exhausted in the diaphragm :chamber, the spring 4| closes the intake valve 20 andopens the exhaust valve 2| which exhausts the motor.

The control mechanism here shown requires that both hands' he used in order to permit the airyto flow tothe cylinders and for this purpose, a second push button is employed. The second push button acts upon a lever 41 similar to the lever 26 and has its arm 48- acting upon a pipe 35. The diaphragm 55 acts upon a sliding stem 58 which inturn acts upon the lever A corresponding to the lever 29. When the exhaust'valves 2| and 5| are open, the air is free to exhaust from the cylinder through the pas-- sages 60 and 6| controlledby said valves. The

control mechanism may be said to involve twov sets of devices, namely, valve means to feed fluid to and exhaust fluid from the motor meansand means to hold the press closed which, in the form here illustrated and described, comprises-valve holding means. A I I i It will be obvious that if only the button is depressed, no air will flow as the intake valve 20 is closed. If only the valve 25 is depressed, the air will exhaust through the pipe 53 out through the exhaust passage 6|. Itis evident then, that both buttons must be depressed in order to cause the effective flow of air to the cylinder. The buttons 25 and 46 and their associated mechanism are mounted in suitable housings 62, 63 attached at any convenient place on the frame 3 of the machine.

The timing valve is connected between the pipe sections 36 and 31 and includes the casing 38 formed with two chambers 64 and 65 therein which are in communication with each other through a passage 66. A normally closed exhaust valve 61 is located in the chamber 64 for normally closing an exhaust port 68, and means as a spring 69 tends to open the valve 61. A small means 16 in the chamber 65 connected to the valve H to close it when the pressure in said chamber 65 from the pipe 31 is suflicient to actuate said pressure operated means, and means including a dash pot for yieldingly resisting the operation. of the pressure operated means and returning it to its normal position preferably in conjunction with a returning spring I2. The chamber 64 is connected to the pipe section 36 and the chamber 65 to the pipe section 31 which is connected with the port 40 in the cylinder 6. The valves 61 and II are preferably located in axial alinement and have stems l3, 14 which abut each other but which permit separation of the stem 14 from the stem 13. The valve H has an additional stem extending through the passage 66 into the chamber 65 where it is connected to the pressure operated means.

This pressure-operated means as here illustrated comprises a diaphragm 16 which forms one side of the chamber 65. The dash pot retarding means is here shown as a piston or plunger movable in a cylinder chamber 18 formed in a section 19 of the casing and the cylinder chamber 18 communicates through'a passage with a reservoir 8| also formed in the casing section l9. Thecasingsection 19 is secured to the end of the casing 38 in which the diaphragm chamber 65 is formed, and the margin of the diaphragm is clamped between the casing 38 and its section 19. The reservoir 8| is formed with an outlet 82 to prevent it from becoming air bound. The effective size 'of'the passage 80 is regulated, in order to controlthe speed of the fluid as oil from the cylinder 18 to the reservoir 8| and vi e versa, by a ball valve 83 located in the passage 80. The position of this valve, to locate it so that it opens and closes the passage 80 more or less, is determined by adjusting screws 88, 85 coacting therewith on diametrically opposite sides thereof. The adjusting screw 85 is positioned so that the ball 83 leaves a very small opening for passage of oil from, the dash pot 18 to the reservoir 8| when the piston TI is being pushed downwardly by pressure on the diaphragm 16. The adjusting screw 85 is so positioned that the ball 83 cannot fall out of the hole or port 86, yet the ball can open the port substantially for a quick return of the diaphragm 16 to its normal position. Also, the efiective size of the air leak passage 10 is controlled by a needle valve 86. The exhaust port 68 is covered by a cap 81 having openings 88 therein, this cap forming an abutment for the spring 69.

In operation, after the piston uncovers the port 50 as before described, at which time the press is closed or nearly closed, the pressure from the motor cylinder 6 passes through the port 80, casing 39, and pipe 31, to the pressure chamber 65, thence through the passage 66, past the valve II, and out through the pipe section 36, and pipes and 51, to the diaphragm chambers 33 and 56 respectively to actuate the diaphragms 32 and 55 to hold the valves 20, 2 land 5| in their operated positions so that the press will remain closed. In accomplishing this result, it is understood that the spring 12 is heavy enough to resist the initial pressure in the chamber 65 so that the valve H is not closed too soon. After the diaphragms 32 and 55 have been thus operated, the pressure builds up in the chambers 64, 65, overcomes the resistance of the'spring l2, and actuates the diaphragm 16 causing it to move downwardly, this downward movement taking effect comparatively slowly againstv the retarding action of the dash pot and the spring 12. When the diaphragm hasbeen moved downwardly to nearly its full extent, the valve ll seats and closes the passage 66 and during such movement of the valve 7!, its stem i l separates from, the stem 13 of the exhaust valve 67 so that the exhaust valve is no longer held closed by the valve .H but is held closed against the force of the spring 69 tending to open the valve, by the pressure of the air in the chamber E l. The air slowly leaks from the chamber 6&1 through the passage 70 and as the valve H is now closed, no'

compensation is made in the chamber B l; for the air leaking therefrom.

When the pressure in the chamber 66 is reduced to a certain amount by the leakage of air therefrom through the leak port 10, the spring 69 opens the exhaust valve 61 and the air exhausts suddenly from the chamber 64 and from the diaphragm chambers 33 and 56. The intake valve 20 then closes and the exhaust valves 2| and 5! open and the air is exhausted from the cylinder 5 so that the press can open under the influence of its counterweight l6 and countersprings l1 and I8. The air in the chamber 65 is then freeto exhaust in the first instance back through the pipe section 31 and cylinder 40 to the lower side of the piston. After the valve H has openedjthe air in the chamber 65 exhausts through the ports 66, chamber 64, pipe 36, exhaust ports 60 and BI so that the spring 12 is free to react and restore all parts to their starting position the oil runs from the reservoir 8| back into the cylinder chamber 18.

To regulate the length of time the press remains closed, the retarding eiTect of the oil can be regulated by opening or closing the passage 88 more or less by means of set screws 84, B5 and also, the leakage of air from the chamber 64 by turning the needle valve 86. When the set screws 84, 85 are initially adjusted, the timing operation can be adjusted slowly by regulating the needle valve 86 which controls the leakage of air from the chamber 64.

What I claim is:

1. An actuating mechanism comprising, a fluid operated motor, an intake and exhaust pipe for a motive fluid connected to the motor, intake and exhaust valve means in said pipe normally arranged to close the pipe to the inlet of the motive fluid and, open it to exhaust said fluid from the motor, a manual for operating the valve means to open the intake and close the exhaust, pressure operated means for locking the valve means in its operated position, a conduit connecting the pressure operated means and the motor whereby the pressure operated means is operated by the pressure from the motor, the conduit including two sections and a timing valve, a casing having communicating chambers connected respectively to the sections, a normally open valve for closing communication between the chambers, pressure operated meansfor closing the last mentioned valve, means including a dash pot for resisting the closing of the normally open valve in said casing and for opening it, an outlet from the other chamber for permitting the fluid to leak slowly therefrom, a normally closed exhaust valve in said other chamber normally held in closed position by the former valve, and a spring for opening the latter valve when the pressure is reduced in said other chamber by the air leaking therefrom.

2. A timing means including, a valve casing provided with "two communicating chambers, conduit sections for a motive fluid communicating with the chambers respectively, one chamber having a normally closed exhaust valve, means tending to open the exhaust valve, an outlet passage for permitting the motive fluid to leak from said chamber, a second valve in said chamber for closing the passage between the chambers and being normally arranged in open position and coacting with the first valve to initially hold it in closed position, motive fluid pressure operated means located in the other chamber and connected to the second valve for moving the second valve into position to close the communication between the chambers, means acting against pressurein the second chamber to resist operation of the pressure operated means by the pressure with the chambers respectively, one chamber having a normally closed outlet valve therein,

means tending to open the valve, an outlet duct through which the fluid leaks slowly from said chamber, a second valve which is normally open for controlling the passage of fluid from one chamber tothe other and normally coacting with the first valve to hold it in closed position, pressure operated means in the other chamber connected to the second valve to hold it open and hence initially hold the first valve closed, and means including a dash pot connected to said pressure operated means for resisting movement thereof and returning the pressure operated -means and thevalves to their normal positions. 4. A timing valve including, .a valve casing having chambers arranged end to end, a passage connecting the chambers, a pipe for a motive fluid communicating with each chamber, one of e located between the valves, a pressure operated member in the other chamber and having a stem connected to the second valve, and a dash pot retarding device connected to the pressure operated member.

5.. A timing valve including, a chamber having an inlet and outlet for a fluid under pressure, a normally closed exhaust valve, means tending to open said exhaustvalve, a normally .open pressure operated valve for controlling the flo-w of fluid into the chamber and operable by the pressure to close the inlet and release the exhaust valve, and a slow leak passage-from said chamber.

6. A timing valve including, a chamber having an inlet and outlet iEor a fluid under pressure, a normally closed exhaust valve, means tending to open the exhaust valve, a normally open pressure operated vave for controlling the flow of fluid into the chamber and operable by the pressure to close the inlet and release the exhaust valve, means for retarding the closing of the pressure operated valve, and,a slow leak pas-- I .meansfor controlling the flow of motive fluid toand' from the motor and being normally in position to-permit the fluid to=-xhaust from the motor, pressure operated means operable after a redetermined movement of the motor for looking the control valve means in operated position, a normally closed. exhaust valve communicating with the motor, means tending to open the ex,-,

haust valve, a slow acting, pressure operated means connected to the pressure chamber of the motor, and means associated with said slow acting means and coacting with the exhaust valve to normally hold it closed. I

8. In: a garment pressing machine, the combination, with/a frame, of a-garment bearing surface supported by said'frame, a pressing head movable to and from pressing position on said surface, fluid pressure means for effecting move--' the press jaws, and means tending to ,openthe ,press jaws at all times; manual means operable to control the energizationv of the motor means and returning to initial position upon release by the operator, means operable after the press jaws are-closed to hold them closed against the means tending to open them and timer meanscontrolling the holding means and releasing the same upon a predetermined lapse of time.

10.--A pressing machine comprising, cooperat- 7 ing pressing jaws adapted to open and close on the work; operating mechanism to operi and close the press jaws including, fluid motor means to close the press, and means tending to open the press jaws at all times; valve means controlling the flow of fluid to-the motor means and retaining fluid pressure therein to hold the pressplosed against the means tending to open the press jaws, and timer means set into operation only when the press jaws are substantially closed and-controlling the releasing of fluid pressure from the motor means upon a predetermined lapse of time.

11. A pressing machine comprising, cooperating pressing jaws adapted to open and close on the work; operating mechanism to open and close fluid pressure means; and timer means controlling the slow change in fluid pressure in the chamber to open the exhaust valve upon a pressure reached therein after a predetermined lapse 0f time.

12. A pressing machine comprising,- cooperating pressingjaws adapted to open and close on the work; operating mechanismto open and close the press jaws including, motor means to close the press jaws; valve means controlling the flow of fluid to the motor means and retaining the presclosed including, an exhaust valve; fluid pressure means controlling the exhaust valve; a fluid pressure chamber the pressure in which controls the fluid pressure means; timerlmeans controlling sure of the fluid therein to hold the press jaws the slow change in pressure in the chamber to open the exhaust valve upon a pressure reached therein after a predetermined lapse of time; and

- means controlling the timer means so that it begins to operate only after the press jaws are substantially closed. 1

13. A pressing machine comprising, cooperating pressing jaws adapted to open and close on t e work; operating mechanism to open and close the press jaws including, motor means to close the press jaws, and means tending tofopen the press jaws at all times; means controlling the energization of the motor means; fluid pressure means tb hold the press jaws closed against the means tending to open them; and timer means controlling the-exhaust oi fluid from the fluid pressure means and releasing the same upon a predetermined lapse of .time.

14. Apressing machine comprising, cooperating, pressing jaws adapted to open and close on the work; operating'mechanism to open and close the press jaws including, fluid motor means to close the press jaws, and means tending to open a the press jaws at alltimes; normally closed valve means controlling the-flow of fluid to the motor means and normally tending to returnto closed position; fluid pressure means to hold the controlling valve means open and thereby hold t e'press jaws closed against the means tendingto open work; operating mechanism to open and close the press jaws including, motor means to close the press jaws, and means tending to open the press jaws at all times; normally closed valve means controlling the flow of fluid to the motor means and normally tending to return to closed position; fluid pressure means to hold the controlling valve means open and thereby hold the press jaws closed against the means tending to open the same; and timer means set into operation only when the press jaws are substantially closed and controlling the holding means and releasing the same upon a predetermined lapse of time.

16. A pressing machine comprising, cooperat- 7 ing Dressing jaws adapted to open and close on the work; operating mechanism to open and close the press jaws including, motor means to close the press jaws; manual means operable to control the energization of the motor means and returning to initial position upon release by the operator; means operable after the press jaws are closed to hold them closed against the means tending to open them; and timer means controlling the holding means 'and releasing the same upon a predetermined lapse of time.

17. A pressing machine comprising, cooperating pressing jaws adapted to open and close on the work; operating mechanism to open and close the press jaws including, motor means to close the press jaws; operator actuated valve means operable to control the motormeans including, 9. normally open exhaust valve means which returns to initial position upon release by the operator;

fluid pressure means controlled by the pressure therein to hold the exhaust valve means closed; and timer means controlling the slow change in fluid pressure in the fluid pressure means to release the exhaust valve means upon a predetermined lapse of time.

18. A pressing machine comprising, cooperating pressing jaws adapted to open and close on the work; operating mechanism to open and close the press jaws including, motor means to close the press jaws;.operator actuated valve means operable to control the motor means including, normally open exhaust valve means which returns to initial open position upon release by the operator; means having fluid under pressure to hold the exhaust valve means closed; and timer means exhausting the fluid pressure from the holding means and releasing the same upon a predetermined lapse of time.

I ERNEST DAVIS. 

